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Karnov

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Jinborov Karnovski (also known as the titular Karnov), is a Russian circus strongman who is collecting all of the pieces of a treasure map so he can become a wealthy man. This Lost Treasure of Babylon is being guarded by the evil dragon Ryu. While the gameplay is basically the same as the other v...

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Developer
Sakata SAS

Released on
1987

Size
1 Player

Version
NES

Requirements
Nintendo Entertainment System

Downloads
Platform

Publisher
Namco

ESRB Rating
Not Rated

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Description

Jinborov Karnovski (also known as the titular Karnov), is a Russian circus strongman who is collecting all of the pieces of a treasure map so he can become a wealthy man. This Lost Treasure of Babylon is being guarded by the evil dragon Ryu. While the gameplay is basically the same as the other versions, the story for the Famicom version is different. It involves Karnov, who comes from a small town called Cleamina, being called by God to be his envoy. Karnov is tasked with getting rid of the evil troublemaker known as Alakatai.

Karnov features nine stages of side-scrolling action. Karnov’s main attack is to breathe fireballs at his enemies. Karnov can collect power-up orbs which can increase the amount of fire he can breathe out. Karnov is also able to jump, with the height being increased by collecting boots. Other items Karnov can carry and use include bombs, ladders, boomerangs, clappers (which destroy minor enemies that are currently on the screen instantaneously), and shields. Occasionally, Karnov will be able to make use of certain items such as wings which let him fly in the air and a scuba gear helmet which lets him swim underwater. Also, scattered throughout the stages are K icons. Collecting 50 of these will reward Karnov an extra life.

Karnov

Overview & History

Released by Data East for the NES in 1988, Karnov adapts the 1987 arcade classic into a punishing, surreal 2D platformer. Players assume the role of Jin Boroda Karnov, a rotund, fire-breathing circus strongman on a quest through bizarre fantasy lands to rescue lost treasure from an army of bizarre monsters. Unlike many straightforward action titles of its era, Karnov stands out due to its eclectic art direction, featuring mythological beasts, flying carpets, and desert ruins. Though the arcade original allowed for two-player simultaneous co-op, the NES port is strictly a single-player expedition, forcing players to master its stiff jump physics and quirky power-up progression entirely alone across nine distinct, hazard-filled stages.

Gameplay Features & Mechanics

Karnov progresses through side-scrolling stages packed with aggressive enemies, crumbling platforms, and treacherous vertical climbs. The titular protagonist begins defenseless other than a short-range punch, but he can collect "P" orbs to unlock his iconic fireball projectile, which can be upgraded into larger fire blasts or a three-way spread shot. Along the journey, Karnov can unearth situational items such as flippers for swimming, winged boots for temporary flight, and a bomb that clears all on-screen enemies. The game utilizes a checkpoint system represented by friendly statues, but losing all lives results in a harsh game over. A signature mechanic is the ladder-climbing speed and distinct momentum-based jumps that require precise timing to navigate bottomless pits and moving platforms without plunging to a swift doom.